The anti-war novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1928) is a classic, that has lost none of its topicality even today. As early as 1930, a film version was made that set standards. After more than 90 years, there is now a new film adaptation that Netflix has taken under its wing. If you would like to test your knowledge of “All Quiet on the Western Front” before watching the movie, we recommend the 13 questions of our Academy quiz.
Erich Maria Remarque himself was at the front. The writer was seriously injured and spent a long time in a military hospital. There he noted down the experiences of soldiers, wrote a diary and worked through his experiences after the end of the First World War. The result was the novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1928), which describes the senselessness of murder and is a memorial to the lost generation.
Shortly after the novel was published, Lewis Milestone adapted the material for the screen. The film won two Oscars, for Best Picture and Best Director. Today, it is also a classic that opposes all forms of war. When it was released in Germany in the early 1930s, screenings were massively disrupted by the National Socialists and it was banned after they came to power. Do you know these facts? Prove it in the Academy quiz!
Before the new film version has even been shown on Netflix or in German cinemas, it has already attracted attention. “All Quiet on the Western Front” (2022) has been in the Oscar race for Germany. This film adaptation also focuses on the main character Paul Bäumer and tells the story of the Western Front during the First World War from his perspective. It is a minor sensation, as the German Netflix production was in the running for the award in the Best Film category at the 2023 Oscars. The film has been nominated nine times in total for the film trophy, including in the categories Special Effects, Cinematography, Production Design, Make-up, Sound Design, Film Music, Adapted Screenplay and Best International Film. Ultimately the film won four Oscars at the 2023 Academy Awards, among others for Best Camera and Best Film Music.
The success of “All Quiet on the Western Front” continues. After winning four Oscars, the film has also been nominated for the German Film Award. There were 12 nominations in total. Check your insights about European literature and film in our Academy quiz!
Test your competencies of the anti-war novel “Nothing New in the West” in the Academy quiz!
29. January 26, 14:30 – Isabell Slisz
